The document provides guidance on proper capitalization rules in the English language. It addresses capitalizing the first letter of sentences, pronouns, proper nouns like days of the week, months, names, places, organizations, religions and more. It offers examples of both properly and improperly capitalized words and phrases. It also includes a short quiz to test the reader's understanding of applying capitalization rules.

1. The Complete guide toThe Complete guide to
how to not be BASIC athow to not be BASIC at
capitalization.capitalization.
The Complete guide toThe Complete guide to
how to not be BASIC athow to not be BASIC at
capitalization.capitalization.
Do I need a
capital
letter?
Do I need a
capital
letter?
I don’t know.
I’m too basic!
I don’t know.
I’m too basic!

2. Do you know what to
capitalize in a
sentence? I bet you
freakin’ do.
Do you know what to
capitalize in a
sentence? I bet you
freakin’ do.

3. A capitalization item onA capitalization item on
an objective test mightan objective test might
look like thislook like this .. .. ..

4. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item
Wanda wouldn’t offer her little brother aWanda wouldn’t offer her little brother a
Christmas cookie because he ate all of herChristmas cookie because he ate all of her
Halloween candy last october.Halloween candy last october.
A.A.BrotherBrother
B.B.CookieCookie
C.C.OctoberOctober
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Wanda wouldn’t offer her littleWanda wouldn’t offer her little brotherbrother aa
AA
ChristmasChristmas cookiecookie because he ate all of herbecause he ate all of her
BB
Halloween candy lastHalloween candy last octoberoctober..
CC
A.A.BrotherBrother
B.B.CookieCookie
C.C.OctoberOctober
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Wanda wouldn’t offer her littleWanda wouldn’t offer her little brotherbrother aa
AA
ChristmasChristmas cookiecookie because he ate all of herbecause he ate all of her
BB
Halloween candy lastHalloween candy last OctoberOctober..
CC
A.A.BrotherBrother
B.B.CookieCookie
C.C.OctoberOctober
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Is brother,
cookie, or
october a
problem?
Is brother,
cookie, or
october a
problem?
October
needs a capital
letter, which
option C
provides.
October
needs a capital
letter, which
option C
provides.

5. Capitalize the firstCapitalize the first letterletter ofof
the firstthe first wordword of aof a sentencesentence..
Capitalize the firstCapitalize the first letterletter ofof
the firstthe first wordword of aof a sentencesentence..
the rotten pear sat in a puddle of goothe rotten pear sat in a puddle of goo
on the kitchen counter.on the kitchen counter.
Look fam, formal
writing is not the
same as texting.
Do it right so you
don’t fail at life.
Look fam, formal
writing is not the
same as texting.
Do it right so you
don’t fail at life.
TThe rotten pear sat in a puddle of goohe rotten pear sat in a puddle of goo
on the kitchen counter.on the kitchen counter.

6. Capitalize the pronounCapitalize the pronoun II..Capitalize the pronounCapitalize the pronoun II..
If that liar Darlene claims that she spentIf that liar Darlene claims that she spent
the night studying, i will say that i saw herthe night studying, i will say that i saw her
kissing Thomas at the movies.kissing Thomas at the movies.
If that liar Darlene claims that she spentIf that liar Darlene claims that she spent
the night studying,the night studying, II will say thatwill say that II saw hersaw her
kissing Thomas at the movies.kissing Thomas at the movies.
Don’t be lazy!
Capitalize those I’s.
You deserve a
capital letter!
Treat yo self!
Don’t be lazy!
Capitalize those I’s.
You deserve a
capital letter!
Treat yo self!

7. CapitalizeCapitalize proper nounsproper nouns..CapitalizeCapitalize proper nounsproper nouns..
On tuesday, september 18, elizabethOn tuesday, september 18, elizabeth
cooked her first pot of squid eyeball stew.cooked her first pot of squid eyeball stew.
Proper nouns include the days of the
week, the months of the year, and
names.
So, when you’re writing
Beyonce on Tuesday,
August 25, to tell her
you’re her biggest fan,
you better be proper
with those nouns.
So, when you’re writing
Beyonce on Tuesday,
August 25, to tell her
you’re her biggest fan,
you better be proper
with those nouns.

8. Other Proper NounsOther Proper NounsOther Proper NounsOther Proper Nouns
 TitlesTitles beforebefore
NamesNames
 SpecificSpecific
PlacesPlaces
 OrganizationsOrganizations
 CompaniesCompanies
 ProductProduct
NamesNames
 ReligionsReligions
 LanguagesLanguages
 NationalitiesNationalities
 HolidaysHolidays
 DepartmentsDepartments
 HistoricalHistorical
ErasEras
 Regions of theRegions of the
CountryCountry
 CourseCourse
NamesNames
 Titles of WorksTitles of Works

9. Titles Before NamesTitles Before NamesTitles Before NamesTitles Before Names
 PProfessorrofessor
StoneStone
 UUncle Drakencle Drake
 PPresidentresident
ObamaObama
 the nursingthe nursing
pprofessorrofessor
 mymy uunclencle
 thethe ppresident ofresident of
our stampour stamp
collecting clubcollecting club
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

10. Specific PlacesSpecific PlacesSpecific PlacesSpecific Places
 TTito’sito’s TTacoaco
PPalacealace
 NNewew YYorkork CCityity
 GGatorlandatorland
 thethe ttacoaco sstandtand
outsideoutside
 aa ccityity
 aa tthemeheme pparkark
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

11. OrganizationsOrganizationsOrganizationsOrganizations
 WWorldorld WWildlifeildlife
FFundund
 AAmericanmerican RReded
CCrossross
 DDoctorsoctors
WWithoutithout
BBordersorders
 anan eenvironmentalnvironmental
ggrouproup
 anan eemergencymergency
rresponseesponse aagencygency
 aa mmedicaledical
hhumanitarianumanitarian
oorganizationrganization
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

12. CompaniesCompaniesCompaniesCompanies
 SStarbuckstarbucks
CCorporationorporation
 TThehe CCoca-oca-
CColaola CCompanyompany
 AApplepple IInc.nc.
 aa ccoffeeoffee hhouseouse
 aa ssodaoda ssupplierupplier
 aa ccomputeromputer
mmanufactureranufacturer
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

13. Product NamesProduct NamesProduct NamesProduct Names
 FFrappuccinorappuccino
 OOreoreo
 PPowerower MMacac
 aa ffrozenrozen ccoffeeoffee
 aa ccookieookie
 aa ccomputeromputer
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

14. ReligionsReligionsReligionsReligions
 BBuddhismuddhism
 SSeventheventh DDayay
AAdventistsdventists
 DDruidsruids
 mmeditationeditation
ppracticeractice
 vvegetariansegetarians
 nnatureature
wworshippersorshippers
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

15. LanguagesLanguagesLanguagesLanguages
 FFrench friesrench fries
 RRussian boarussian boar
 SSpanish mosspanish moss
 ffriedried ppotatoesotatoes
 wwildild ppigsigs
 aairir pplantslants
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these! But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

16. NationalitiesNationalitiesNationalitiesNationalities
 BBraziliansrazilians
 thethe FFrenchrench
 ancientancient
EEgyptiansgyptians
 ssummerummer ttouristsourists
 wwineine
cconnoisseursonnoisseurs
 ppyramidyramid bbuildersuilders
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

17. HolidaysHolidaysHolidaysHolidays
 TThanksgivinghanksgiving
 HHalloweenalloween
 FFourth ofourth of JJulyuly
 ffamilyamily ddinnerinner
 ccostumeostume ppartyarty
 ffireworksireworks sshowhow
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these! But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

18. DepartmentsDepartmentsDepartmentsDepartments
 DDivision ofivision of MMotorotor
VVehiclesehicles
 OOrlandorlando FFireire
DDepartmentepartment
 IInternalnternal RRevenueevenue
SServiceervice
 ddriver’sriver’s llicenseicense
 ffirefightersirefighters
 ttaxax ccollectorsollectors
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

19. Historical ErasHistorical ErasHistorical ErasHistorical Eras
 LLateate
CCretaceousretaceous
 OOldld KKingdomingdom
 thethe GGreatreat
DDepressionepression
 wwhenhen ddinosaursinosaurs
llivedived
 pproliferation ofroliferation of
ppyramidsyramids
 ppooroor eeconomicconomic
ttimesimes
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

20. Regions of the CountryRegions of the CountryRegions of the CountryRegions of the Country
 thethe SSouthouth
 thethe NNortheastortheast
 thethe WWestest
 thethe ssouth exitouth exit
 blowing from theblowing from the
nnortheastortheast
 wwest of the mallest of the mall
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

21. Course NamesCourse NamesCourse NamesCourse Names
 FFundamentalsundamentals
ofof BBiologyiology
 IIntermediatentermediate
AAlgebralgebra
 CContemporaryontemporary
LLiteratureiterature
 bbiologyiology
 aalgebralgebra
 lliteratureiterature
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these!
But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

22. Titles of WorksTitles of WorksTitles of WorksTitles of Works
 MMoby-oby-DDickick
 AAliensliens
 TThrillerhriller
 a thicka thick nnovelovel
 the bestthe best mmovieovie
ever madeever made
 a dancea dance aalbumlbum
Capitalize
these!
Capitalize
these! But use lower
case for these!
But use lower
case for these!

23. Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test
Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, chooseIn the items that follow, choose
the option that corrects an error in thethe option that corrects an error in the
underlined portion(s). If no error exists, chooseunderlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose
“No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”
Show me
you’re not
basic.
Show me
you’re not
basic.

24. Byron likes spicy foods, so he chose the AsianByron likes spicy foods, so he chose the Asian
chicken wrap. Martha prefers bland dishes andchicken wrap. Martha prefers bland dishes and
ordered a large basket of french fries.ordered a large basket of french fries.
A.A.asianasian
B.B.LargeLarge
C.C.FrenchFrench
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1
Byron likes spicy foods, so he chose theByron likes spicy foods, so he chose the AsianAsian
AA
chicken wrap. Martha prefers bland dishes andchicken wrap. Martha prefers bland dishes and
ordered aordered a largelarge basket ofbasket of frenchfrench fries.fries.
B CB C
A.A.asianasian
B.B.LargeLarge
C.C.FrenchFrench
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Byron likes spicy foods, so he chose theByron likes spicy foods, so he chose the AsianAsian
AA
chicken wrap. Martha prefers bland dishes andchicken wrap. Martha prefers bland dishes and
ordered aordered a largelarge basket ofbasket of FrenchFrench fries.fries.
BB CC
A.A.asianasian
B.B.LargeLarge
C.C.FrenchFrench
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

25. Item 2Item 2Item 2Item 2
Janelle will take Fundamentals of Biology nextJanelle will take Fundamentals of Biology next
semester; she hates Science classes but needs thesemester; she hates Science classes but needs the
credits to transfer to a university.credits to transfer to a university.
A.A.fundamentals of biologyfundamentals of biology
B.B.sciencescience
C.C.UniversityUniversity
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Janelle will takeJanelle will take Fundamentals of BiologyFundamentals of Biology nextnext
AA
semester; she hatessemester; she hates ScienceScience classes but needs theclasses but needs the
BB
credits to transfer to acredits to transfer to a universityuniversity..
CC
A.A.fundamentals of biologyfundamentals of biology
B.B.sciencescience
C.C.UniversityUniversity
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Janelle will takeJanelle will take Fundamentals of BiologyFundamentals of Biology nextnext
AA
semester; she hatessemester; she hates sciencescience classes but needs theclasses but needs the
BB
credits to transfer to acredits to transfer to a universityuniversity..
CC
A.A.fundamentals of biologyfundamentals of biology
B.B.sciencescience
C.C.UniversityUniversity
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

26. Item 3Item 3Item 3Item 3
My family prefers to cook a ham on holidays, butMy family prefers to cook a ham on holidays, but
uncle Bart is a vegetarian, so my mother preparesuncle Bart is a vegetarian, so my mother prepares
““tofurkey” for him.tofurkey” for him.
A.A.HolidaysHolidays
B.B.UncleUncle
C.C.VegetarianVegetarian
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
My family prefers to cook a ham onMy family prefers to cook a ham on holidaysholidays, but, but
AA
uncleuncle Bart is aBart is a vegetarianvegetarian, so my mother prepares, so my mother prepares
BB CC
““tofurkey” for him.tofurkey” for him.
A.A.HolidaysHolidays
B.B.UncleUncle
C.C.VegetarianVegetarian
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
My family prefers to cook a ham onMy family prefers to cook a ham on holidaysholidays, but, but
AA
UncleUncle Bart is aBart is a vegetarianvegetarian, so my mother prepares, so my mother prepares
BB CC
““tofurkey” for him.tofurkey” for him.
A.A.HolidaysHolidays
B.B.UncleUncle
C.C.VegetarianVegetarian
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

27. Item 4Item 4Item 4Item 4
Dai is vietnamese, but she grew up in PuertoDai is vietnamese, but she grew up in Puerto
Rico, where she attended cooking school; nowRico, where she attended cooking school; now
she is the head chef at the Cuban restaurant onshe is the head chef at the Cuban restaurant on
Orange Avenue.Orange Avenue.
A.A.VietnameseVietnamese
B.B.Cooking SchoolCooking School
C.C.cubancuban
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Dai isDai is vietnamesevietnamese, but she grew up in Puerto, but she grew up in Puerto
AA
Rico, where she attendedRico, where she attended cooking schoolcooking school; now; now
BB
she is the head chef at theshe is the head chef at the CubanCuban restaurant onrestaurant on
CC
Orange Avenue.Orange Avenue.
A.A.VietnameseVietnamese
B.B.Cooking SchoolCooking School
C.C.cubancuban
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Dai isDai is VietnameseVietnamese, but she grew up in Puerto, but she grew up in Puerto
AA
Rico, where she attendedRico, where she attended cooking schoolcooking school; now; now
BB
she is the head chef at theshe is the head chef at the CubanCuban restaurant onrestaurant on
CC
Orange Avenue.Orange Avenue.
A.A.VietnameseVietnamese
B.B.Cooking SchoolCooking School
C.C.cubancuban
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

28. Item 5Item 5Item 5Item 5
Turn left! We need to go west on Highway 50;Turn left! We need to go west on Highway 50;
otherwise, we will be heading towardotherwise, we will be heading toward
Daytona beach.Daytona beach.
A.A.WestWest
B.B.highway 50highway 50
C.C.Daytona BeachDaytona Beach
D.D.No change is necessNo change is necessaary.ry.
Turn left! We need to goTurn left! We need to go westwest onon Highway 50Highway 50;;
AA BB
otherwise, we will be heading towardotherwise, we will be heading toward
Daytona beachDaytona beach..
CC
A.A.WestWest
B.B.highway 50highway 50
C.C.Daytona BeachDaytona Beach
D.D.No change is necessNo change is necessaary.ry.
Turn left! We need to goTurn left! We need to go westwest onon Highway 50Highway 50;;
AA BB
otherwise, we will be heading towardotherwise, we will be heading toward
Daytona BeachDaytona Beach..
CC
A.A.WestWest
B.B.highway 50highway 50
C.C.Daytona BeachDaytona Beach
D.D.No change is necessNo change is necessaary.ry.

29. Item 6Item 6Item 6Item 6
Katelyn used her last dollar to buy m&m candies;Katelyn used her last dollar to buy m&m candies;
she would have enjoyed a Pepsi to wash themshe would have enjoyed a Pepsi to wash them
down but the cafeteria prices were too expensive.down but the cafeteria prices were too expensive.
A.A.M&MM&M
B.B.pepsipepsi
C.C.CafeteriaCafeteria
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Katelyn used her last dollar to buyKatelyn used her last dollar to buy m&mm&m candies;candies;
AA
she would have enjoyed ashe would have enjoyed a PepsiPepsi to wash themto wash them
BB
down but thedown but the cafeteriacafeteria prices were too expensive.prices were too expensive.
CC
A.A.M&MM&M
B.B.pepsipepsi
C.C.CafeteriaCafeteria
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Katelyn used her last dollar to buyKatelyn used her last dollar to buy M&MM&M candies;candies;
AA
she would have enjoyed ashe would have enjoyed a PepsiPepsi to wash themto wash them
BB
down but thedown but the cafeteriacafeteria prices were too expensive.prices were too expensive.
CC
A.A.M&MM&M
B.B.pepsipepsi
C.C.CafeteriaCafeteria
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

30. Item 7Item 7Item 7Item 7
Juan is taking a religion class this semester; heJuan is taking a religion class this semester; he
likes the professor and the readings, but he mostlikes the professor and the readings, but he most
enjoys the intoxicating perfume that Isabella, hisenjoys the intoxicating perfume that Isabella, his
tablemate, wears.tablemate, wears.
A.A.ReligionReligion
B.B.ProfessorProfessor
C.C.PerfumePerfume
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Juan is taking aJuan is taking a religionreligion class this semester; heclass this semester; he
AA
likes thelikes the professorprofessor and the readings, but he mostand the readings, but he most
BB
enjoys the intoxicatingenjoys the intoxicating perfumeperfume that Isabella, histhat Isabella, his
CC
tablemate, wears.tablemate, wears.
A.A.ReligionReligion
B.B.ProfessorProfessor
C.C.PerfumePerfume
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Juan is taking aJuan is taking a religionreligion class this semester; heclass this semester; he
AA
likes thelikes the professorprofessor and the readings, but he mostand the readings, but he most
BB
enjoys the intoxicatingenjoys the intoxicating perfumeperfume that Isabella, histhat Isabella, his
CC
tablemate, wears.tablemate, wears.
A.A.ReligionReligion
B.B.ProfessorProfessor
C.C.PerfumePerfume
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

31. Item 8Item 8Item 8Item 8
Patrick visited the police station to see if someonePatrick visited the police station to see if someone
had found Squeeze, his 9-foot albino python, buthad found Squeeze, his 9-foot albino python, but
officer Rodriguez said that no reptiles had beenofficer Rodriguez said that no reptiles had been
recently caught.recently caught.
A.A.Police StationPolice Station
B.B.PythonPython
C.C.OfficerOfficer
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Patrick visited thePatrick visited the police stationpolice station to see if someoneto see if someone
AA
had found Squeeze, his 9-foot albinohad found Squeeze, his 9-foot albino pythonpython, but, but
BB
officerofficer Rodriguez said that no reptiles had beenRodriguez said that no reptiles had been
CC
recently caught.recently caught.
A.A.Police StationPolice Station
B.B.PythonPython
C.C.OfficerOfficer
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Patrick visited thePatrick visited the police stationpolice station to see if someoneto see if someone
AA
had found Squeeze, his 9-foot albinohad found Squeeze, his 9-foot albino pythonpython, but, but
BB
OfficerOfficer Rodriguez said that no reptiles had beenRodriguez said that no reptiles had been
CC
recently caught.recently caught.
A.A.Police StationPolice Station
B.B.PythonPython
C.C.OfficerOfficer
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

32. Item 9Item 9Item 9Item 9
Jeffrey thought he would hate humanities, butJeffrey thought he would hate humanities, but
once Professor Kimble reached the Italianonce Professor Kimble reached the Italian
renaissance, the beautiful marble nudes gotrenaissance, the beautiful marble nudes got
Jeffrey’s attention.Jeffrey’s attention.
A.A.HumanitiesHumanities
B.B.professorprofessor
C.C.RenaissanceRenaissance
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Jeffrey thought he would hateJeffrey thought he would hate humanitieshumanities, but, but
AA
onceonce ProfessorProfessor Kimble reached the ItalianKimble reached the Italian
BB
renaissancerenaissance, the beautiful marble nudes got, the beautiful marble nudes got
CC
Jeffrey’s attention.Jeffrey’s attention.
A.A.HumanitiesHumanities
B.B.professorprofessor
C.C.RenaissanceRenaissance
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Jeffrey thought he would hateJeffrey thought he would hate humanitieshumanities, but, but
AA
onceonce ProfessorProfessor Kimble reached the ItalianKimble reached the Italian
BB
RenaissanceRenaissance, the beautiful marble nudes got, the beautiful marble nudes got
CC
Jeffrey’s attention.Jeffrey’s attention.
A.A.HumanitiesHumanities
B.B.professorprofessor
C.C.RenaissanceRenaissance
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

33. Item 10Item 10Item 10Item 10
Niki is a practicing hindu, so she was offendedNiki is a practicing hindu, so she was offended
when Sean pulled into a McDonald’s drive-thruwhen Sean pulled into a McDonald’s drive-thru
to order a Big Mac.to order a Big Mac.
A.A.HinduHindu
B.B.mcdonald’smcdonald’s
C.C.big macbig mac
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Niki is a practicingNiki is a practicing hinduhindu, so she was offended, so she was offended
AA
when Sean pulled into awhen Sean pulled into a McDonald’sMcDonald’s drive-thrudrive-thru
BB
to order ato order a Big MacBig Mac..
CC
A.A.HinduHindu
B.B.mcdonald’smcdonald’s
C.C.big macbig mac
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Niki is a practicingNiki is a practicing HinduHindu, so she was offended, so she was offended
AA
when Sean pulled into awhen Sean pulled into a McDonald’sMcDonald’s drive-thrudrive-thru
BB
to order ato order a Big MacBig Mac..
CC
A.A.HinduHindu
B.B.mcdonald’smcdonald’s
C.C.big macbig mac
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

34. the end.the end.TThe end.he end.TThehe EEnd.nd.
Bye,
Felicia!
Bye,
Felicia!